State police apprehend suspect in church fire, church crash

A 25-year-old man from New York is in custody and police are investigating if he was involved in setting a fire at an East Hanover Township church Saturday afternoon, state police out of Harrisburg said.

Police received a report of the man driving his Suburu Forester in circles at a truck stop in West Hanover Township around 4 p.m. A truck driver told police he tried to alert the man that golf clubs had fallen out of his car, and the man became angry, got out of his car and beat on the truck driver's door. The truck driver alerted police that he heard about a fire at a nearby church during the encounter.

Shortly after, troopers became aware of a fire at Shells Evangelical Lutheran Church
at 287 Shells Church Road in East Hanover Township. The single alarm blaze was
contained in the basement and sanctuary, according to dispatchers. The state police fire marshal and a state police criminal investigator were called to the scene to investigate the fire's origin and to determine if the suspect was involved in the fire.

Troopers canvassing the area of the fire for the suspect located him walking on state Route 39 and took him into custody. State police helicopters found the suspect's car crashed into the side of Capital Bible Church in West Hanover Township. Police said the car was heavily damaged after it struck a fire hydrant and ran into the church.

The suspect was taken to Pinnacle Health Harrisburg for his injuries and evaluation. State police say they believe he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Charges against the suspect are pending the investigation and recommendation from the Dauphin County District Attorney.

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